Career decisions made while in Classes 9-12 can play an important role in influencing the student’s future career. This is the time when students undergo rapid changes in their emotional, academic and personal development.

During this time, students are being pressured to select the correct stream, subjects and long term career path. Due to ongoing changes in jobs and industries that occur every day, education and career counselling are critical in helping students select the right career for them.

By providing structured education and career guidance to students, Education and Career Guidance Programs provide education and career assessments to provide students with an understanding of who they are, what they are good at, and which career paths they should pursue. This way students have clarity and certainty in their decisions rather than just making decisions based on peer or family expectations, societal pressures etc. Students are also able to build their self-confidence and prepare for their future by having an overview of what is ahead of them in the form of a career map and direction.

STEP 1: Understanding the Student (Self-Awareness)

The first thing that students must do in their learning and career planning is to step back from themselves and recognize themselves for what they are, this will require that students engage in self-reflection. Students will be able to identify their interests, natural abilities, and preferred ways to learn at this time. This self-awareness will enable students to make informed decisions about different academic pathways and to choose a vocational career path that is right for them. Understanding their personal strengths and weaknesses, students can choose the best educational, vocational, or career-oriented pathway, depending on what works best for them.

Only needed points:

• Interest areas
• Strengths & natural abilities
• Personality type
• Learning style

STEP 2: Aptitude & Psychometric Testing

Employing psychometric tests can assist in assessing your student’s capabilities, which provides scientific insight into each student’s various facets of the mind including Aptitude, Personality, and Interests. Psychometric Tests can then be utilized to help students match with appropriate career options based on the results of these assessments, thereby providing students the opportunity to create their career without resorting to trial-and-error and creating their career more positively.

Important test components:

• Aptitude levels
• Personality traits
• Career interests

STEP 3: Choosing the Right Stream After Class 10

It is essential that students make educated choices about their streams when it comes to their education. Most high school graduates do not have enough useful information about what each stream (science, commerce, or humanities) has to offer before selecting one of them as their stream. By providing students with the right type of support prior to selecting a stream, students will be able to select a stream that meets their strengths and future plans. Consequently, selecting the appropriate stream for a student will lead to academic success, a decrease in stress, and a positive classroom environment that is appropriate for the individual student.

Available Streams:

• Science (PCM/PCB)
• Commerce
• Humanities / Arts

STEP 4: Career Exploration and Learning About Opportunities

Many college students do not realize the vast number of careers available. Career exploration allows students to discover new and current areas of study outside of the engineering, medical and other traditional job market options. Those students who have a better understanding of what is needed from them in terms of skills, job requirements and future opportunities tend to approach their decisions regarding their careers differently than those who do not know this information; they are more likely to view their choices as being based on maturity. Students can provide their parents with valuable insight into the many options available for their children, demonstrating that the education system has evolved to offer greater and varied opportunities for their children than just academic performance.

STEP 5: Developing Skills Along with Academics

While grades are essential in a competitive society, your skill set is even more valuable. As such, students should start developing skills essential for future academic, job interview and employment opportunities starting in Class 9. Students who receive guidance regarding the essential skills they need to be working on in Class 9 will have the advantage over students who do not.

Key skills students must build:

• Communication
• Critical thinking
• Problem-solving
• Creativity

STEP 6: Setting a Career Roadmap

The use of a career roadmap has the potential to assist students in gaining insight into what they want to do for a living. The roadmap maps out academic goals by providing structure for students’ entire high school careers. With this structure, students can prioritize which classes to take, along with developing the skills they need to succeed in their pursuit of higher education.

Through the career roadmap process, students will be able to explore their various postsecondary educational choices at the end of their high school education; they will also determine which colleges would best suit their career goals. Because of the use of a career roadmap, students will feel confident about knowing exactly how to continue on their journey through life rather than feeling lost.

STEP 7: Academic Planning & Performance Management

Students can achieve their highest academic capabilities via effective academic planning which will help alleviate the pressure of being overwhelmed by the amount of schoolwork they have. Students tend to perform poorly in school not because they are not capable, but rather due to poor study habits. By providing direction in efficient study planning, time management, and taking note of their weaknesses, we can facilitate student success. Students who are able to develop their skills in the way that they are most comfortable and according to their strengths will have consistent academic success.

STEP 8: Selecting Courses After Class 12

Once you have completed class 12, you need to select an educational program that will lead you to the career path that you have in mind following graduation. After you have gone through the first eight steps in this guide, you will find it easier to make decisions regarding your educational program in relation to your career goals. Consider your Career Aspiration Goals and also whether you wish to pursue an academic program or a vocational training program, or whether you wish to pursue a creative degree. Selecting the right educational program will help prepare you for success in a secure career in the area you have chosen to pursue.

STEP 9: Professional Career Counselling & Expert Guidance

Students and their parents may benefit from professional career counselling that can alleviate their career-related uncertainties and questions. An expert in career counselling utilizes information gathered from a student’s achievement test scores, personality assessment results, and interest areas to assertively create a structured educational Programme that will help the student choose a career direction. With the support of a knowledgeable career advisor, students can reduce some of the academic-related pressures associated with making a sound educational decision, while being able to develop a tailored career plan that addresses their individual needs.

Conclusion

Education and Career Guidance is more than just deciding what subject to study or what job to get; it’s a way of helping people understand who they are as individualised students, what their strengths are, what their interests are and what their future aspirations are. Students that receive the proper guidance (including appropriate explanations of the value of education, scientific assessments of cognitive functioning, and expert support in making informed and courageous educational/career choices) from Class 9 through Class 12 are able to make educated, confident decisions regarding the future that ultimately leads to a successful and fulfilling life.